United Methodists across Indiana continue to serve others even as they shelter in place during the COVID-19 outbreak. Corinth United Methodist Church near Muncie is just one of many active congregations that are working to provide personal protective equipment to help communities slow the spread of the virus.
The effort began in late March when church members heard about the desperate need for face masks in communities across Indiana. Realizing the opportunity to help with simple sewing skills, supplies and collective effort, they began sewing and donating masks independent of one another. Soon, one member connected with Indy-based Sew and Serve, an online community working to respond to the growing need for face masks. She sewed over 800 masks for the organization to distribute throughout Indiana.
Next, the good news was celebrated in the online newsletter and word quickly spread. Soon, there were ear protectors being crocheted, surgical caps being sewn, and supplies being shared with one another.
To date, the church has made and donated:
- 1,356 facemasks, including some N-95 mask protectors
- 102 scrub caps
- 180 ear savers (crocheted band with buttons to relieve elastic pressure on ears)
More requests keep coming, as the Muncie community and beyond are served with a steady stream of face masks and caps crafted with faith, love, and care.
We celebrate this and all efforts by United Methodist communities around Indiana to provide PPE to families, local organizations, medical staff, and others who are on the frontlines of this pandemic around Indiana. We also pray in gratitude for your giving hands and lives you have touched.
You can help. Find CDC compliant patterns HERE.
By Rev. Cindy Garver, Indiana Conference Disaster Response Coordinator